Three current and former California Highway Patrol officers, a prominent criminal defense attorney and four others were formally charged Tuesday in connection with the disappearance and death of a Turlock man.

In a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, the Stanislaus County district attorney's office said Carson hatched a plan to leave valuables in plain view to entice would-be burglars to enter his property while it was being guarded by people including clients who were working off legal fees.

Kauffman was last seen alive heading to Carson's property on March 30, 2012. Kauffman's friends say he intended to steal metal irrigation pipes visible in Carson's yard when he disappeared. Kauffman's body was found more than a year later in a remote forest area near Yosemite National Park.

Carson, his wife, a former CHP officer and two brothers who own a Turlock liquor store were formally charged with murder Tuesday. Two active CHP officers and Carson's stepdaughter were charged with obstruction of justice. A ninth person was previously charged with murder.

Carson's attorney denies the charges.

The complaint filed in Stanislaus County Superior Court on Tuesday and a 352-page affidavit filed by police to obtain arrest warrants offer few clues into why former CHP officer Walter Wells was charged with murder. Court documents suggest Wells may have had Kauffman's cellphone the night police believe Kauffman was killed.

Wells was fired in June, according to the CHP.

Two current CHP officers -- Scott McFarlane and Eduardo Quintanar -- are charged with obstructing the investigation. The two officers have been placed on administrative leave.

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The next court date for McFarlane and DeFilippo is Sept. 14 and Quintanar. Carson's stepdaughter Christina DeFilippo is expected in court on Sept. 4. All three have posted bond and face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and accessory.